SHAWANO, WI- After a prolonged search, Shawano County Board Chairman Tom Kautza has successfully assembled the county’s ad hoc building committee, which was officially approved at the County Board meeting on July 24.
The committee will decide on how to handle the aging courthouse, the security of the courthouse and potentially the future of the library.
The 11-member committee will now include representatives from each section of the county: John Jacobs Jr. of Green Valley Dairy for the east, Sam Crawford of TimberPro for the central, and Regan Mongold of Cirrinity for the west.
“I picked people from different areas of the county so all areas would be represented,” said County Board Chairman Tom Kautza.
Joining the committee alongside Kautza are Supervisors Matt Pleshek and Randy Mallmann.
“Matt Pleshek is the city engineer and that way we have a direct line between us and the city,” said Kautza. “Randy Mallman, runs Dearco and we are trying to target business people.” Kautza added that people in those rolls are used to making decisions with larger dollars.
Kautza said both Pleshek and Mallman are new board members and some of the longer standing board members were upset with his choices. Kautza said he did what he felt was best.
“I know I have upset a few people, but so be it. I have done it before and it probably won’t be the last time.”
County employees on the panel include Grant Bystol from the highway department, Ty Raddant from the sheriff’s department, Scott Frank from the land conservation department, and Ethan Schmidt, the clerk of courts. Greg Strayer of Bonduel will serve as the citizen member.
“These are the big decisions that we want this committee to make. We need them to come up with facts and figures and best way to move forward.”
He said they will determine what kind of investments should be made and determine if repairs are needed, or if they should start new.
“They can decide to just let things be and wait and see if things go to heck, but that is not the best way to do business in my opinion.”
Kautza clarified that the committee’s goal is not necessarily to build a new jail or sheriff’s department. “We’re looking a master plan, of what should be for the county,” he explained.
The ad hoc committee’s recommendations will be advisory and non-binding. Any recommendations will be forwarded to the public property committee for further consideration.
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